Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="LIuconn, post: 2428927, member: 134"] Pulisic started on a local PA team. During my time we had local 'select' teams, ODP, regional pools/camps then the national pool. More quality coaches for the younger kids (u10-12) will help funnel better kids to better teams, and ultimately to MLS academies, Europe, college, etc. My parents shelled out for trainers, travel, club fees, winter ball, camps, etc. It's a legitimate limiting factor! There aren't enough eyes, especially in certain communities, which Herc Gomez pointed out, and too many people are getting paid too much for there to be a significant change, as Zoo mentioned. It's up to the kid and the family to 'self select' and seek out the best opportunity. One guy I played with wasn't a top player on our team, but he switched clubs to find the right philosophy and turned it into a D1 ride. Sacrifices have to be made at that 'critical age' to maximize development, and taking a proactive posture to find those evaluating eyes for a trial. It's happening everywhere else, and for us to think we can compete without our best pushing themselves is crazy. It calls for a youngster to grow up quickly and is something we're not used to in comparison to hoops or football, but needs to be done. [/QUOTE]